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jWap 24, 1905 



The FORTY-FIFTH ILLINOIS 



A Souvenir of the Re-union 



HELD AT ROCKFORD 



On the Fortieth Anniversary of its March 
in the Grand Review 



Being the Remarks of Daniel Fish, of Co. G, to which is 

appended the Substance of the Regiment's History 

as Preserved in Official Records 



MINNEAPOLIS 

BYRON & WILLARD 

1905 



^ 5 



^St^t 



COMRADES; 

Being asked to give a "short 
address," I am vain enough to wish 
to see it in print. That the immod- 
esty may seem a trifle less flagrant, I 
append some historical notations 
worth preserving. Together, they 
will serve to remind you — and that 
is what I really want — of a boy re- 
cruit of 1864, named 

DANIEL FISH. 



Girt 
Author 
(Person) 



ADDRESS. 

Mr. President and Comrades : — 

The time devoted to a regimental reunion, occurring- thus 
late in the afternoon of our lives, seems almost toO' precious to 
be wasted upon formal speeches. The common thought of the 
occasion has found ready and constant expression ever since 
we began to assemble. The earnest scrutiny of faces and forms 
which the busy years have remoulded ; the kindling light of rec- 
ognition in eyes dimmed by advancing age ; the unstudied ex- 
clamations of greeting; the eager clasp of hands long parted — 
these speak the ruling sentiments of the hour with a natural 
eloquence which no art can rival. 

It would be sheer dishonesty in me, however, to pretend that 
I am not glad of this opportunity to speak briefly in your pres- 
ence, especially in this place, and to be known for the moment as 
a member of the 45th Illinois Voluntary Infantry. This is my 
native county, and Rockford, ever beautiful, wears for me the 
special and enduring charms of school-day memories and boyish 
pride. Nowhere else could I have taken prominent part in a re- 
union of the old regiment without feeling that I was usurping 
undeserved honors, but here I can almost play the host. Though 
I have wandered long and far, though other scenes have en- 
ticed and later ties have enthralled me, still, this is Home. Join- 
ing therefore with those of our comradeship who are native 
here, I assume family privileges, and, as one of the household, 
bid you welcome to the green fields of old Winnebago and to 
this smiling city, her capital. She has not forgotten the battle 
years. This fine memorial hall, these tablets inscribed with the 
names of her soldier sons, are but symbols of that intense, un- 
dying patriotism which reigned here in the sixties. We may all 
abide, securely, in the hearts of this people. 

Now, let me indulge in some bits of personal reminiscence. 



My term of service was so short, and my connection with the 
regiment so broken, that you may well expect me to give some 
account of my doings. This is only the second of these reunions 
that I have been able to attend. The first was at Qiicago five 
years ago and that, to be quite truthful, was a somewhat dis- 
appointing experience. I had looked forward to it with the 
mosji pleasurable anticipations, for surely, I thought, my own 
company will be out in force and I shall at least know every- 
body in Co. G. Well, some of them were present, and most 
of them I knew, but alas ! not many knew me. I had been 
conscious enough of change in myself — that I had "grown up" 
since the muster out thirty-five years back — but had not com- 
prehended the full extent of the mischiefs which Time brings 
about. It was hard for me to realize that the sturdy young 
fellows I had known were the dignified, even venerable men there 
gathered. Not quite sixteen at my enlistment, most of you being 
already veterans of twenty-two and upward, I recalled with 
great distinctness the humiliation I often felt on account of my 
extreme youth ; but that is one of the embarrassments of those 
days that I have wholly outgrown. I would not be a day older 
now, if it were possible. 

The one man in the ranks whom I best remembered was there 
at Chicago. He accepted my greetings with his old time kind- 
ness, but with a discouraging shadow of uncertainty upon his 
honest face. Even after I had told him my name. I doubt if 
he would have loaned me money on the faith of my claim to 
membership in Co. G. The only man there who was sure of me 
was my old Lieutenant, Lee Bauder — who used to exchange 
weapons with me to lighten my load on the march ; for the 
musket I carried was of man's size, weighing substantially two 
hundred pounds. It was a lesson not to be forgotten, and I 
came away from that re-union resolved never to miss another, 
unless dire necessity compelled it. 

I first saw the regiment at the Black River camp, in the rear 
of Vicksburg, on your return from the Meridian raid. That, 

4 



if the record has been truly kept, was on the 4th of March, 1864. 
Then and there it was that Gen. Sherman united his forces with 
Spencer Abbott, Tommy Fitzpatrick, and me, and the 45th en- 
tered upon a new era of glory. You may not have noticed the 
sequence of events, but within two months from that hour the 
monthly pay of the men was enlarged from thirteen to sixteen 
dollars ; so marked an increase had been observed in the average 
efficiency of the entire Union army. Two weeks later we marched 
into Vicksburg and took passage northward by steamer, you 
re-enlisted veterans to go home upon your well-earned fur- 
lough, we recruits to sadly wait at Cairo until it was ended. 
The siege and capture of the River stronghold were then fresh 
in your memories and on that march I marked well the position 
which the regiment had occupied in the trenches and the shat- 
tered remains of Fort Hill. Revisiting that ground a few years 
since, when the project of converting it into a National military 
park was under consideration, it seemed strangely familiar. 
Hardly any other historic place in the South has changed so 
little. The tenacious clay of the hills had resisted the wear of 
the elements and the people seemed to have refused, with equal 
persistency, to share in the country's progress. 

While there in company with a party of my Minnesota 
neighbors, I was naturally desirous of showing them the spot 
whereon the 45th performed its most conspicuous deed of gal- 
lantry. Not far from the monument which stands on the site 
of "Pemberton's Oak" we met a carriage-load of visitors who 
had come out by another road. As we drew alongside they 
stopped, and a citizen of Vicksburgh accompanying them arose 
and pointed to a nearby hillside. "Right there," he said, "is 
where Maltby's regiment went in." He had been telling his 
party of the rush of the 45th into the crater of Fort Hill, and 
you may depend upon it that the story of that exploit lost noth- 
ing as I retold it. In the excitement of the moment, possibly I 
neglected to mention that the surrender of Vicksburg had oc- 
curred precisely six months prior to my enlistment. 

5 



I wonder if any of you recollect one incident of that trip up 
the river, which I have never forgotten. It was the time of 
Forrest's invasion of West Tennessee and Kentucky, which ended 
with the Ft. Pillow massacre. Upon our arrivel at Columbus, 
Ky., we were ordered ashore on the report that the surrender 
of that post had just been demanded, and were marched a few 
miles inland in expectation of a fight. I did not approve of 
that movement. About the only military opinion I ever formed 
was that this was no proper way for a regiment to go home on 
its veteran furlough. But no enemy appeared, and the north- 
ward journey was speedily resumed. 

The re-assembling of the regiment at Cairo, the movement 
by transport up the Ohio and the Tennessee to Clifton, the march 
across country to the line of Sherman's movement upon Atlanta 
— is it possible that it occurred full forty-one years ago? How 
clearly I remember my first deep disgrace which happened on 
that march. We had to wade the Pulaski river late in the after- 
noon of a long, wearisome day. I can see, at this moment, 
just how Gen. Leggett looked as he sat mid-stream upon his 
big black horse, while we floundered through the icy water. That 
night and next morning a raging fever possessed me, and an 
ambulance carried my aching bones to a hospital in Huntsville; 
a beautiful spot, but to my sensitive soul worse than a place of 
penal confinement. One week later I was with you again at 
Kingston, Ga., rejoicing, yet heartily ashamed. 

I have often remarked that almost the only streak of good 
luck which ever befel the 45th was its assignment to duty that 
summer at the Etowah bridge, by means whereof we escaped 
the hard fighting from Kenesaw to Atlanta, and especially the 
fierce engagement of the brigade on Leggett's Hill. Gen. Leg- 
gett, by the way, has generously declared, in a published address, 
that the place should have been christened "Force's Hill," be- 
cause our brave commander and his gallant brigade bore the 
brunt of that savage encounter and the former there fell so 
grievously wounded. In the same address he mistakenly credits 

6 



the 45th with a share in the fight, forgetting that at the time we 
were peacefully guarding the crossing of the Etowah, far in the 
rear, and quite unconscious of our comrades' peril. 

Gen. Force once sent me, at my request, a copy of the pam- 
phlet referred to, and a brief correspondence ensued. He had 
not heard from a member of our regument for many years, and 
inquired if Major Duer were yet living. The dear Major had 
lately died and, as it happened, I had seen him at his home in 
Iowa but a few weeks before his demise. Col. Sealy had also 
recently passed away. I communicated the sad news to Gen. 
Force, and you will be interested in his reply, which I cherish as 
a characteristic memento of one of the truest men and noblest 
soldiers of all the two million whose names are borne on the 
Union rolls. This is the letter: 

Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Home, 
Sandusky, O., nth Nov., 1888. 
Daniel Fish, Esq., Minneapolis. 

Dear Sir: — You are right in saying that the 45th 111. was 
not at the battle of Atlanta, but was at the time guarding the 
bridge over the Etowah. 

Major Duer happened to be near on the 21st July, either on 
business or a visit, and saw the charge of the brigade up Leg- 
gett's Hill. I did not know it at the time. He told me of it 
afterwards. 

I regret much to hear of the death of Major Duer and of 
Col. Sealy. We are all dropping off fast. The frosts of autumn 
have touched us, and at every gust of wind many of us drop 
off and are whirled away from view. 

Very truly yours, 

M. F. FORCE. 

After the fall of Atlanta, and while the regiment was rest- 
ing temporarily at Marietta, I believe, a brief illness again sent 
me to the hospital. My recollection of that period is rather 
faint. I only know that during convalescence I was employed 
as a kind of office boy for one of the surgeons, and was quar- 
tered in a house at Atlanta mainly occupied by "Mother Bicker- 
dyke," who was then, as you remember, the Commander-in-chief 



of Sherman's army. I there formed an acquaintance with that 
remarkable woman who concealed beneath a somewhat forbid- 
ding exterior a world of motherly love. I last saw her at the 
Columbus Encampment in 1888, and took pains to remind her 
of the kindness she had shown to one homesick lad of the many 
to whom she had ministered. She was then old, and poor they 
told me, but she was rich in the aflfections of thousands there 
gathered. She is now with her soldier boys who have gone 
into camp on the other shore. 

In the weeding-out process which preceded the March to 
the Sea, I, with other like impedimenta, was sent home on fur- 
lough. Ten days of that was quite enough for me, and learn- 
ing of the intended advance, I set out in haste for Atlanta — too 
late. On my arrival at Chattanooga it transpired that Atlanta 
was destroyed and all communication with Sherman cut off. 
Two or three thousand of us, officers and men, were there in 
similar plight, and a sorrier crowd was never assembled. Back 
to Nashville they sent us, where we were organized by Gen. 
Thomas into temporary battalions and collectively designated 
"The Provisional Division of the Army of the Tennessee." The 
title was too long. It soon shrank to the "P. V.'s," which was 
readily transliterated into "Pewees," under which affectionate 
diminutive we pecked our way through the Nashville battle and 
left tracks in the mud of Alabama in pursuit of the flying Hood. 
So my baptism of fire was received far away from the regi- 
ment, and all the glory of my individual prowess adds nothing 
to its fame. 

From the vicinity of Decatur, Alabama, we went, on foot 
and by steamer and rail, to Washington, D. C, along with the 
24th corps ; thence to Annapolis, where we took shipping for 
the North Carolina coast. You, meanwhile, were wading the 
swamps of the two Carolinas, a winter campaign which the de- 
luded Confederates believed to be impossible. I have sometimes 
queried whether your journey or mine was hardest to endure. 
We have the authority of our own "Uncle Billy" for the opinion 

8 



that "War, at its best, is hell," but i,6oo landsmen, crowded 
between decks upon an angry ocean — all sick unto death, and 
smothered in stenches that would revolt the stomach of a buz- 
zard — Hades, in the modern version, at least, would have been a 
welcome exchange. I have never asked for a pension, but if I 
ever do so, the memory of that stormy voyage around Cape 
Hatteras will be my sufficient excuse. 

From' New Berne, on the Neuse, we marched westward to 
meet you at Goldsboro. Another column, starting from Wil- 
mington, was headed for the same point of junction, and Joe 
Johnston resolved to crush the two forces in detail. In pursu- 
ance of that unfriendly design, he caused the first attack to fall 
upon us, with the result that the other was indefinitely post- 
poned. It was a three days' affair (like Gettysburg, you re- 
member), culminating in a considerable battle on the loth of 
March. Not very famous in history is that engagement (we 
had no press agents with us), but exceedingly interesting to those 
immediately concerned. It is called, indifferently, the battle of 
Kinston, Southwest Creek, and Wise's Fork. Since my bat- 
talion happened to be in the center of it, I then had my most 
favorable opportunity to study the typical "Johnnie" in his fight- 
ing costume. We saw the worst side of him there — and the other 
side, too, for he turned away after inflicting upon us, in the 
three days, a total loss of 1,337 men. Of these, however, nearly 
900 were captured, being two New England regiments which for 
two years had been on garrison duty at New Berne. That the 
Pewees were true Army of the Tennessee men appears from this 
complimentary mention of them in the report of Gen. J. D. Cox, 
who next to Schofield was in chief command : 

"I owe it to the troops of the provisional brigades to 
say that, although they were without regular organization 
and commanded by officers who were strangers to them, 
they nevertheless behaved in the most soldierly manner 
and acquitted themselves well in every situation." (Offi- 
cial Records, Serial Vol. 98, p. 979.) 
My own company was the first to cross the Neuse toward 

9 



Kinston, passing, a la Blondin, upon single stringers laid from 
bent to bent of a bridge which the retreating enemy had burned. 
A few days later we were with our several commands at Golds- 
boro, and thenceforth to the end my military experience coin- 
cides with your own. I missed the "March to the Sea," a griev- 
ous disappointment at the time but very likely a fortunate 
escape, for my long, slender legs were hardly equal to a sprint 
of 300 miles. Instead of the march through Georgia and the 
northward campaign, I invaded the Carolinas from the sea ; a 
fair set-off, so far as danger and discomfort are concerned, and as 
regards the fighting, my experience at Nashville and at Kinston 
were quite enough ; whereas your single encounter at Pocotaligo 
might have failed to wholly satiate my thirst for blood. 

It is needless to remind you of the closing days at and near 
Raleigh — the joy coming with the news that Lee's army was 
captured ; the mingled grief and rage attending the murder of 
our beloved Lincoln ; the blundering of the Washington authori- 
ties over Sherman's negotiations with our immediate foe ; the 
visit of Gen. Grant and his review of the 17th corps; the sudden 
and unanimous surrender from Virginia to Texas ; the arduous 
though inspiriting foot-race of the two corps of our army through 
the rebel capital to that of the nation ; the Grand Review, and 
the dismissal to our homes. 

Comrades, we have been abundantly favored. Two score 
years of life have been vouchsafed to us in which to enjoy the 
great peace we helped to achieve, for it is precisely forty years 
this day, as it happens, since we marched down Pennsylvania ave- 
nue in that memorable pageant which signalized the close of the 
Civil War. The grateful plaudits which greeted us then are echo- 
ing still. The nation has been generous beyond all precedent. It 
has indeed striven to realize the aspiration breathed by our im- 
mortal leader in his second inaugural : "to bind up the nation's 
wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his 
widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve a just and 
lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations." 

10 



Across the pillared front of the national treasury, as we passed 
it that day in review, we read this motto: "The only national 

DEBT WE CAN NEVER PAY, IS THE DEBT WE OWE TO THE VICTORI- 
OUS Union soldiers." The money obligation which then pressed 
its awful weight upon the nation's resources was more than three 
thousand millions in amount. One thousand millions of it are 
still unpaid, having been carried at interest these forty years, yet 
a sum greater than the whole of that stupendous burden has 
been disbursed in pensions; and a hundred and thirty million 
dollars a year are still ungrudgingly bestowed. Nothing ap- 
proaching such munificence has occurred in all the past. More 
than this mere pecuniary benefaction has marked the nation's 
gratitude. The name and service of every humblest soldier and 
sailor of the Union has been carefully preserved in government 
archives, and in myriads of official volumes, the authentic records 
of our struggle have been "embalmed in imperishable print." 
More touching than all else, it seems to me, the remains of our 
fallen comrades, so far as the utmost diligence could recover 
them, have been gathered into scores of national cemeteries, 
where their graves are marked, and beautified, and tended with 
loving care. The cynical maxim that "Republics are ungrateful," 
has been abundantly refuted in this land of our love. 

You have heard me with kindly patience. I was too young 
to be a good soldier, but it was a great good fortune for a boy 
of any age to be caught up by that splendid wave of enthusiasm 
which swept two millions of us into the Union ranks. With 
you, I have passed the summit of life and nothing can come to 
me — nothing has come — comparable with that brief period of ser- 
vice. I am profoundly grateful for it — glad that I was permitted 
to join a veteran regiment whose record is stainless, and with 
such strength as I had, to assist in carrying our country's flag 
wherever its right to go was denied. 



II 



A TYPICAL REGIMENT. 

The war memories of a soldier are associated almost ex- 
clusively with his regiment, the smallest unit of infantry or- 
ganization that can have a separate history. The honors of 
the regiment, therefore, are dear to the hearts of its members, 
and around its simplest annals are clustered innumerable remi- 
niscences which no words could portray. But when armies are 
numbered in millions, the written story of a given thousand 
must necessarily be brief; it soon merges into the sober history 
of battles and campaigns, as the names of the many are lost in 
the fame of the few. Long ago, Washington came to typify 
both the military and civil glory of the Revolution. Already, 
the majestic name of Lincoln — who as truly as any of our com- 
rades gave his life for the Union — sums up to the general mind 
the struggles and triumphs of the Civil War. But Heaven 
could not have placed our credit in safer keeping. 

Ours was a representative regiment. In general, its history 
might stand for that of a hundred others ; a simple tale of duty 
faithfully performed, of patient endurance, of unflinching cour- 
age. It fell slightly short of the battle losses which one indus- 
trious compiler of statistics has evolved as the standard for his 
"Three Hundred Fighting Regiments," but 9 officers and 76 
men shot to death on the field, and 138 deaths from wounds 
and diseases, are proof that no sacrifice was evaded. 

The original membership came largely from Galena, and 
the adjacent counties. Companies F and G being from Winne- 
bago and Boone. Many of the earlier regiments bore distinct- 
ive titles, other than their official numbers. The 45th was 
called the "Washburne Leadmine" regiment, both as a compli- 
ment to Hon. Kliliu 15. Washhurne, then Congressman from 
the Galena District, and a reminder of the ore-bearing region 
where it was mainly recruited. Possibly, also, the latter desig- 
nation may have been designed as a humorous suggestion of 

12 



especial weight and abundance in the metal it carried. At any 
rate, no enemy ever prospected in its vicinity without being 
suitably rewarded. 

CAPTAIN ADAIR'S ACCOUNT. 

Aside from the ofBcial records, a most interesting historical 
sketch of the regiment was read at the Freeport meeting. Sept, 
28, 1869, by Capt. Adair of Co. E. This was published by the 
regimental association, and is commended as a stirring account 
of deeds in which the authors bore an honorable part. It 
should be of especial interest to some Winnebago people for its 
glowing tribute to Comrade Giles C. Hard, who was a pioneer 
citizen and a friend of my father in the long ago. Regimental 
histories form a valuable section of the vast literature of the 
Civil War and, being preserved in various collections, are 
eagerly studied by military students. The brochure referred 
to may be identified by the following bibliographical descrip- 
tion : 

ADAIR, (John M.) Historical sketch of the Forty-fifth 
Illinois Regiment, with a complete list of the Officers and Pri- 
vates and an Individual Record of Each Man in the Regiment. 
By Capt. John M. Adair, Lanark, Illinois. Lanark: Carroll 
County Gazette Print, 1869, 8 vo. pp. 40. 

THE STATE HISTORY. 

Since the books are not always within convenient reach, I 
have thought it might be an acceptable souvenir of this meet- 
ing to reproduce in print the substance of all that appears in 
the official records relating especially to the regiment, or at 
least such references thereto as may be of assistance to any 
desiring to study its career more closely. The sons or grand- 
sons of its members may be able to read between the lines 
something more than is here set down. 

The reports of the Adjutants-General of Illinois for the 
battle years have been twice republished in eight close-printed 
volumes, first in 1886, as revised by Gen. J. W. Vance, and 

13 



again in 1901, under the supervision of Gen. J. N. Reece. In 
both, there is appended to a complete roster of the command 
a three-page "history," which appears in substance below. It 
furnishes, at least, a substantially accurate itinerary of the 
regiment's travels throughout the war, 

"The regiment was organized by John E. Smith, of 
Galena, who was commissioned Colonel of Volunteers, 
July 23, 1861. Seven companies encamped at the fair 
grounds near Galena, called Camp Washburne, and 
were there armed with Short Enfield rifles. Moved to 
Camp Douglas, Chicago, Nov. 22, i86r, where three 
additional companies were made up, and the full regi- 
ment was mustered into the U. S. Service on Christmas 
Day, 1 86 1. 

"Departed Jan. 12, 1862, for Cairo, where the regi- 
ment encamped on the 15th, and on Feb. i, 1862, was 
assigned to W. H. L. Wallace's brigade, the Second of 
John A. McClernand's Division. Next day, started for 
the Tennessee river under Gen. Grant, and on Feb. 4, 
1862, first camped in the field, four miles below Ft. 
Henry. On the 5th, Ft. Henry was evacuated and next 
evening the 45th moved in. On the nth, at 4 p. m., 
marched out, with its Division, on the direct road to Ft. 
Donelson. 

"In the forenoon of Feb. 13th, took position on the 
right of the line. In the afternoon, being sent to the re- 
lief of the 49th Illinois, engaged close to the enemy's 
works, the regiment entered its first engagement. It 
was severe but brief and the result beneficial. In the 
three days' investment of Donelson, the regiment lost 2 
men killed and 26 wounded. 

"Remained in camp until March 4th, then marched 
to mouth of the Big Sandy and took boats up the Ten- 
nessee for Savannah, arriving on the nth. Except for 
the two or three days' scout into the interior, known as 
the "Pin Hook Expedition," camped at Savannah until 
the 25th and then moved to Pittsburgh Landing. The 
camp of the 45th was at the junction of the Purdy and 
Corinth roads, not far from Shiloh church. 

"At the close of the usual Sunday morning inspec- 

14 



tion on April 6, 1862, the arms of the regiment were left 
stacked on the color line. Just as the breakfast call 
sounded, the "long roll" was beaten and within three 
minutes, the 500 men of the regiment then present were 
in line of battle, fully armed and equipped. The first 
order was to double-quick to left and front in support of 
Sherman. After the first encounter of the morning, the 
regiment fought mainly on its "own hook," under direc- 
tion of Col. Smith ; passing back and forth over the same 
ground several times. Late in the day it fell back to 
take position with its brigade and division on the right 
of the line, where the final stand was made. Laid on its 
arms that night in the rain and moved forward at day- 
break. After the final charge on Monday, the regiment 
stopped near the camp from which it had so suddenly 
moved before breakfast the preceding day. Its losses 
were 26 killed and 199 wounded and missing. The miss- 
ing, not wounded, were but few and those rejoined the 
command Monday night. 

"Remaining in camp at Shiloh until April 24th, it 
then engaged in the so-called siege of Corinth as a part 
of the First brigade. Third division of the Reserve. Its 
labors in the trenches were severe, its dangers slight. 
From June 8th to Nov. 2nd, remained in camp in a 
pretty grove just east of Jackson, Tennessee, except 
when employed in guarding the railroad at various 
points. On the last named date, four companies were 
assigned to guard duty at Medon, one at Treagers', and 
five at Toons', all on the Mississippi Central Railroad 
south of Jackson. On August 31st, Armstrong's Cav- 
alry brigade raided within the Union lines, striking the 
railroad just north of Toons', at Treagers', and at 
Medon. Co. C was captured at Treagers'. At Medon 
a sharp fight occurred, the rebels being repulsed. The 
losses to the regiment were 3 killed, 13 wounded, and 43 
prisoners. 

"On November 2nd, moved from Jackson to La 
Grange, Tenn., where it acted as provost guard until the 
28th, then moved with the army, on the Holly Springs 
campaign, as far as Spring Dale. Here Col. Smith re- 
ceived his commission as Brigadier-General and took 

15 



formal leave of the regiment, though he had commanded 
a brigade for some months. Returning, the 45th camped 
at a point north of the Tallahatchie river until January 
I, 1863, when it continued its marcli northward to Mem- 
phis. 

"In February, moved by transport from Memphis 
toward Vicksburg. Stops were made at Lake Provi- 
dence, Vista Plantation, and Milliken's Bend. Here, 
volunteers were called for to run transports past the 
Vicksburg batteries. Every officer and man of the regi- 
ment volunteered, wherefore a detail had to be made of 
the quota assigned, which manned the steamer Anglo- 
Saxon and took her safely through, loaded with com- 
missary stores.' The detail was as follows : Com- 
mander, Capt. L. B. Fisk, Co. E ; Pilots, Charles Evans, 
Co. D, Joshua Kendall, Co. K; Engineers, Sergt. A. J. 
Esping, Co. B, Charles Flint, Co. G; Firemen, J. M. 
Primmer, Co. F, Wm. Tripp, Co. G, John Paul, Co. C. 

"On May ist the regiment, then at Bruinsburg, started 
with Logan's division of Gen. Grant's army upon the 
famous campaign to the rear of Vicksburg, participat- 
ing in all the battles en route. The position of the 45th 
during the siege was immediately at the White House, 
on the Jackson road, in front of Fort Hill ; which was 
regarded as the key to the fortress. It took part in the 
three assaults of May 19th and 22nd and June 25th, in 
the second of which Major Luther H. Cowing was 
killed. 

"The sapping and mining of Fort Hill occupied 
about a month, and the 45th was selected as the storm- 
ing party when the match was applied on June 25th. 

"Immediately after the mine was sprung, the regi- 
ment rushed into the crater, but was met by a murder- 
ous fire, the enemy being protected by inner breast- 
works thrown up in anticipation of the explosion. The 
loss to the regiment was 83 killed and wounded. Among 
the latter was Jasper A. Maltby, the Colonel, while 
Lieut. Col. Melancthon Smith, and Major Lander B. 
Fisk, with many others, were killed. In consideration 



'Capt. Adair states that the detail was divided, and gives interesting 
particulars of tlu-ir adventures. 

16 



of its conspicuous service during- the siege, the 45th, by- 
order of Gen. Grant, was given the advance upon enter- 
ing the city, and its flag was raised upon the court 
house by Col. Wm. E. Strong, of McPherson's staff, to 
denote the surrender.' 

"The regiment was detailed for provost guard duty 
in Vicksburg from July 4, 1863, to October 14th. It 
was then relieved to take part in the Canton raid, during 
which, on the 17th, it was engaged in a skirmish at 
Boguechitto. From November 7, 1863, to March 14 fol- 
lowing it was in camp at Black River, ten miles east of 
Vicksburg, except during the period between February 
3rd and March 4th, when it was engaged in the Meridian 
raid ; in which three of its men were wounded in a skir- 
mish at Chunky Station. Meantime nearly every man re- 
enlisted for an additional three years. 

"Left Vicksburg, March 17, 1864, for Cairo, where 
the regiment was given its "Veteran furlough." Re- 
assembled at Cairo, May 4th, and proceeded by steamer 
to Clifton on the Tennessee, thence marching via Pulaski, 
Tenn., Huntsville and Decatur, Ala., and Rome and King- 
ston, Ga., to Etowah Bridge, arriving on the 7th of June. 
Thenceforth, until the 'March to the Sea,' took its part 
in the Atlanta campaign. 2 

"Left Atlanta, November 12th, as a part of the ist 
brigade, 3rd division of the 17th corps, and arrived at 
Savannah, Ga., December 21st. Started by steamer from 
Savannah, Jan. 4, 1865, and debarked at Beaufort, S. C, 
on the 13th, Engaged, on the following day, in the at- 
tack on Pocotaligo, in which eight men were wounded. 
From Jan. 30th to Feb. 28th, marched upwards of 300 
miles, via Orangeburg, Columbia, Ridgeway, and Wins- 
boro, to Sugar Loaf Mountain. Camping at the latter place 
until March 3rd, moved on, via Cheraw, Fayetteville, and 
Bentonville, to Goldsboro, N. C, arriving March 24th. 
On March nth, Fayetteville was taken by 'Sherman's 
Bummers,' and Wm. C. Taylor, then a private but after- 
wards Quartermaster of the 45th, received the surrender 



^See p. 27. 

aQuarded the Etowah crossing during the summer, where two ot 
its men were shot by guerillas while on patrol duty at night. 

17 



at the hands of its Mayor. April lo, marched for Ral- 
eigh ; thence to Greensboro and back to Raleigh, where 
news of the surrender came and the war was over. 

"Between May ist and i8th occurred the hardest march 
of the war, from Raleigh to Washington. The 17th corps 
in one day made 39 miles, the 15th on another 35 miles. 
The two, constituting the Army of the Tennessee, were 
engaged in a trial of speed with 'home' for the goal. 
Neither won, for both encamped at Alexandria, opposite 
Washington, on the same day. From May 14, 1864, to 
May 19, 1865, the 45th marched 1.750 miles. 

"On May 24, 1865, the regiment marched in the 
Grand Review, and on June 6th proceeded by rail to 
Louisville, Ky., arriving there on the 8th. July 12th 
came the 'muster out' and three days later, at Chicago, 
the final pay and discharge." 

Such, in barest outline, is the regiment's story of nearly four 
years of honorable service, as preserved in the records at Spring- 
field ; but the real pith of that story is to be found in the brief 
notes set opposite the names of its members: "Killed at Shiloh," 
"at Vicksburg," or elsewhere. "Died" at some camp or hos- 
pital. "Re-enlisted as a veteran" — each man had a history, to 
which these are the key. 

THE REBELLION RECORDS. 

The 45th is mentioned frequently in the "Official Records of 
the War of the Rebellion," that impressive memorial of the great 
conflict which gathers into its 130 bulky volumes the materials 
of history as it was sketched in the making. Most of these ref- 
erences, however, occur in the reports of casualties, no names 
being given, or in lists of the organizations which composed, at 
various times, the forces with which the regiment was con- 
nected. It served under Gen. Grant from Cairo to Vicksburg, 
and followed the lead of Sherman from \'icksburg to the end. 
Upon the creation of the 17th Army Corps the 45th became and 
always remained a part of the First Brigade of its Third Di- 

18 



vision. The subjoined note gives the book and page of the 
several entries, all of which I have lately reviewed. 

EARLIEST MENTION. 

The earliest official mention of the regiment found in these 
volumes, occurs in a letter written by Gen. Grant to the Asst. 
Adjt. Gen., Dept. of Missouri, under date of Cairo, Dec. i8, 1861, 
Vol. 7, p. 507 : 

"There are seven companies," the General writes, "of 
the Forty-fifth Regiment Illinois Volunteers at Camp 
Douglas, with improved arms for 1,000 men, and cloth- 
ing for the same, who are anxious to come here. If they 
could consistently be sent before being mustered into the 
service of the United States^ I would be much pleased. 
This application is made because the desire to come has 
been axpressed by the senior officers of this regiment." 

These Galena neighbors, very naturally, were trying to get 
together. 

FORT DONELSON. 

The report of Gen. McClernand, covering the capture of Ft. 
Donelson appears in Vol. 7, pp. 170, et seq. Thus early, the 
redoubtable McClernand manifested those faults of military eti- 
quette which soon led to his downfall, but his troops suffered 



Series i, Vol. 7, pp. 126, 168, 170, 173, 175, 177, 178, 182, 192, 194-197, 
202, 203, 20s, 206, 208, 507, 578, 649. 

Id. Vol. ID, part i; pp. 100, 117, 123, 133-135, 265, 276, 757, 761. 
Part 2, pp. 152, 187. 

Id. Vol. 17, part i; pp. 44, 49. Part 11; pp. 144, 156, 212, 247, 338, 

514. 

Id. Vol. 24. part i; pp. 584, 643, 705, 707-712. Part 2, pp. 9, 155, 
164, 207, 293-295. Part 3, pp. 28, 257, 476. 

Id. Vol. 31, part i, p. 823. Pah 3, p. 570. 

Vol. 32, part I, pp. 170, 192, 214, 227-231, 233-236. Part 2, pp. 9, 
155, 164, 207, 293-295. Part 3, pp. 65, 516, 568. 

Id. Vol. 38, part i, p. 109. Part 3, p. 570. 

Id. Vol. 39, part 2, pp. 69, 557. Part 3, p. 566. 

Id. Vol. 44, pp. 21, 851. 

Id. Vol. 47, part i, pp. 50, 70, 405. 

Id. Vol. 49, part 2, p. 1066. 

Id. Vol. 52, part i, pp. 16, 17. 

Series 3. — Vol. 3, p. 742. 

19 



nothing in his account of tlieir doings. One mention of the 

45th is as follows : 

"At one time McAllister's battery, while exposed to a 
cross-fire of artillery, was so closely pressed by the enemy's 
infantry as to compel his gunners to fall back. At this 
critical juncture Colonel Smith, of the Forty-fifth, rushed 
forward with a detachment of his men and, driving them 
back, rescued it." Vol. 7, p. 178. 
Another allusion to our regiment (p. 173) closes with a 

characteristic remark which drew from Gen. Grant an equally 

characteristic comment. Referring to a severe pressure upon 

his 2nd brigade, he says : 

"For the purpose of strengthening this heroic band 
and more completely covering the front of the enemy's 
works, the Forty-fifth, Col. Smith, in accordance with an 
order to that efifect, moved forward under a heavy fire, 
and, taking position in line, the assault was renewed. 
At this critical moment, // the enemy had been diverted 
by an attack on the left and also from the river by the 
gunboats, it is possible the redan would have been taken." 

In forwarding this report Gen. Grant observes (p. 170) : 

"I have no special comment to make on it, further 
than the report is a little highl\' colored as to the con- 
duct of the First Division, and I failed to hear the sug- 
gestions spoken of about the propriety of attacking the 
enemy all around the lines on Saturday. No sugges- 
tions were made by Gen. McClernand at the time 
spoken of." 
The rescue of Mcy\llister's battery above referred to calls 
attention to the report of that officer, found on page 208. This 
excerpt will be read with interest: 

"Onr shell and shrapnel proving troublesome, they 
sent a body of skirmishers, that approached our right 
piece, and poured in so close a volley that we were driven 
from the gun. The Forty-fifth advanced and after a 
sharp skirmish repulsed them. I continued the fire with 
coolness (sic) and precision until my last round of ammu- 
nition had been expended. Ten minutes afterwards an 

20 



order to retreat by the left came to me, and before I could 
tlvrotv tmy saddle on my horse I was left by the Forty- 
fifth regiment and (by) the single gim of Taylor's bat- 
tery, whose teams were hitched on." 
A less veracious chronicler might have omitted this feature, 
but such is Capt. McAllister's official narrative of how he got 
left. Very likely he was a bit slow in throwing that saddle; 
and it was bad generalship, anyhow to have his horse en disha- 
bille at such a time. Moreover, he should have known that 
when infantry is ordered to retreat (if it was a retreat) it must 
promptly obey. 

"Theirs not to make reply, 
Theirs not to reason why ; 
Theirs but to do," etc. 

Col. Smith's report of the engagement (pp. 202, 3), after 
recounting the charge by which the assailants of the battery 
were driven back, states : 

"The position was held for over two hours, keeping 
up a continual though irregular skirmish with the rebels. 
About 2 o'clock the same day I received your order to 
take position on the right of the Forty-eighth Illinois, 
which order I obeyed," 

The report of Col. Wallace, commanding the brigade (Vol, 
7, pp. 192, et seq), contains nine separate mentions of the 45th, 
among them the following, in connection with the repeated sal- 
lies from the enemy's works : 

"Again a new and fresh line of infantry appeared, 
and I ordered the whole line, except the Seventeenth and 
the left wing of the Forty-ninth, to advance and occupy 
the hill. The Eleventh, Twentieth, Forty-eighth, and 
Forty-fifth, with a portion of the Forty-ninth, advanced 
boldly and in fine order to the brow of the hill, where 
they were exposed uncovered not only to the fire of the 
enemy's infantry, but to a raking fire from one of the 
enemy's batteries of artillery across the valley. They 
opened their fire, supported by Taylor's battery and two 
of McAllister's guns (one having been disabled by a 
shot from the enemy's cannon), and for some time the 



21 



conflict was strong and fierce ; but at length the strong 
masses of the enemy's infantry gave way before the 
steady, well-directed, and continued fire of the right of 
my line. They fell back, however, only to give place 
to another line of fresh troops who advanced to their 
support, and who were also compelled, by the steady, 
unflinching valor of our men, to give way." 

And Ft. Donelson, the ground whereon the General won 
his sobriquet of "Unconditional Surrender Grant," was the first 
battlefield of the gallant boys of the old Forty-fifth ! Every 
Lieut.-Colonel of the brigade was either killed or wounded, 
Maltby of ours being shot through the thigh. But two enlisted 
men of the regiment were killed and only 20 wounded, the 
small loss being attributed by Col. Smith (p. 203) "to the fact 
that my men never fell into confusion." 

PITTSBURGH LANDING. 

The commanders of the regiment were never very prolific 
of formal reports. The official narrative of its share in the 
terrible fight at Shiloh is found wholly in the statements of 
others. The losses, as compiled from the lists of names (Vol. 
10, p. 100) were : Killed, i officer and 22 men ; wounded, 17 
officers and 170 men; missing, 3. Total, 133. Another state- 
ment of which the above is said to be a revision (p. 123), places 
the total at 197 killed and wounded, missing none. 

The regiment is repeatedly referred to in the reports of Col. 
C. C. Marsh of the 20th 111., commanding the 2nd Brigade (pp. 
i33-5)» of Lt. Col. R. A. Fulton, 53rd Ohio (p. 265). and of 
Capt. S. E. Barrett, Battery B, ist 111. Light Artillery (p 276). 
Gen. McClernand reports elaborately, as usual, and is not spar- 
ing of compliments to the men of his Division. On page 117 
(Vol. 10), in recounting the tangled performances of Sunday, 
he states : 

"The Forty-fifth Illinois, being the last to fall back, 
only escaped being surrounded and captured by boldly 
cutting their way through the closing circle of the enemy's 

22 



lines and joining the division, under the daring lead of 
Colonel and Major Smith, of that regiment." 

SIEGE OF CORINTH AND AFTER. 

In his report of the tedious approach upon Corinth, Gen. 
McClernand, then commanding the Reserve Corps of the army, 
refers to the skirmish near Easel's on May 29, 1862, wherein 
Gen. Logan is said to have ordered "Captains Lieb and Cowen 
of the 8th and 45th Illinois regiments" to advance their com- 
panies to repel an attack upon his pickets. In glowing words 
he points out that: "These officers promptly doing so, a severe 
skirmish ensued, in which this small force again signalized West- 
em courage by beating and driving back superior numbers. 
According to information subsequently obtained, the enemy 
lost 40 men killed and wounded in this combat, which the late- 
ness of the evening and the nearness of his position to his works 
enabled him to carry ofif." (Vol. 10, p. 757.) 

Gen. Logan's account of the same affair (p. 761) says: "The 
enemy's pickets, being apparently increased, made a dash at 
our line, with the evident intention of driving our pickets in, 
but the gallant Captains Lieb and Wilson, of the Eighth Illinois 
Infantry, nobly maintained their position, and after firing two 
volleys at the enemy advanced and drove him back." 

So it remains in doubt, officially, whether Captain Cowen 
and his Co. B were in this momentous engagement or not. It 
matters little, for if any glory was won in the "Siege of Corinth" 
it should be given exclusively to Gen. Halleck, who in the provi- 
dence of God was permitted for a time to command troops in 
the field. 

VICKSBURGH CAMPAIGN. 

In Part i of Vol. 24, a compilation is given of the losses at 
the battle of Raymond (p. 705). McPherson then commanded 
the corps (17th), Logan the Third Division, and John E. Smith 
the First Brigade. Two officers and 14 men of the 45th were 
wounded and one was missing. Gen. Smith's full report of 

23 



this campaign for the investment of Vicksburg, and of the siege 
to June 4th, makes frequent reference to the 45th, always in 
compHmentary terms (pp. 708-11). Speaking of Raymond (p. 
708) he mentions that "Colonel Maltby * * * although so 
unwell that he was obliged to ride in an ambulance, as soon as 
the enemy was known to be in force to dispute advance, mounted 
his horse and assumed command of his regiment." 

At Champion's Hill the regiment lost 4 men killed and i 
officer and 19 men wounded, as compiled from the nominal lists 
(Vol. 24, Part 2, p. 9). The only official mention of its part 
in that battle is found in Part i of this volume, at p. 712, in the 
report of Col. Wm. P. Davis of the 23rd Indiana. He was 
ordered, he says, "to advance his regiment and take position on 
the right of the Forty-fifth Illinois regiment, which was support- 
ing Captain Rogers' battery on the brow of the hill." 

THE SIEGE AND CAPTURE. 

Concerning the two assaults of May 22nd in the vicinity of 
Fort Hill, the following from the foregoing report of Gen. 
John E. Smith (p. 710) relates especially to our command: 

"About 2 p. m. the same day, in pursuance of orders 
from division headquarters, I made a second attempt to 
assault the enemy's works from the front, on the main 
road. Although there is not a regiment in the brigade 
that I have not the fullest confidence in, yet as the Forty- 
fifth Illinois had not been under fire, and knowing that 
they would go wherever I ordered and where it was pos- 
sible to go (their conduct since is ample testimony), I 
ordered them in advance, to be immediately supported 
by Colonel Force, 20th Ohio, of the Second Brigade, 
who was assigned to me for that duty (under the pre- 
vious instructions, to move forward with fixed bayonets, 
and not to fire until they had gained the enemy's works).' 
The order was given to advance, and they were soon 
exposed to the whole of the fire of the rebel line, killing 
and wounding many at the head of the column (among 



'The typograpliy of tlie official volumes is carefully followed 
throughout these extracts. 

24 



them Maj. L. H. Cowen, who was in command of the 
regiment), when they filed off under cover of the ridge 
occupied by the Twentieth Illinois. The Twentieth Ohio 
was not ordered forward, as I became satisfied that the 
obstacles could not be overcome without sacrificing prob- 
ably my whole command." 

The most dramatic event in the regiment's history, and the 
bloodiest except Shiloh in all its years of service, was the assault 
at Fort Hill, June 25, 1863. The only official testimony relat- 
ing to that terrible affair in which the regiment is specifically 
named, is contained in the report of Gen. M. D. Leggett, then 
its brigade commander. This, dated July 6, 1863, is found 
in Part 2 of Vol. 24, on page 294. The Colonel, Maltby, was 
wounded, the Lieutenant Colonel and the Major, Melanchon 
Smith and Leander B. Fisk, were killed. No field officer was 
left to report. Five others were stricken to death and 60 others 
laid low by wounds. After detailing the process of sapping 
and mining the fort. Gen. Leggett continues : 

"On the 25th of June I was ordered to hold my com- 
mand in readiness to charge and take said Fort Hill as 
soon as the mine should be sprung, to hold the breach 
made by the explosion at all hazards, and, if practicable, 
to charge over and drive the enemy from his works. 

"At 3 :30 p. m. of said day my command was in readi- 
ness, the Forty-fifth Illinois being in the front supported 
by the other regiments of the brigade, and Lieut. H. C. 
Foster, of the Twenty-third Indiana, with 100 men, being 
placed in the left-hand sap before spoken of, with orders 
to charge with the Forty-fifth Illinois, provided they at- 
tempted to cross the enemy's works. At 4 '.30 o'clock the 
mine was sprung, and before the dirt and smoke was 
cleared away the Forty-fifth Illinois had filled the gap 
made by the explosion, and were pouring deadly volleys 
into the enemy. As soon as possible, loop-hole timber 
was placed upon the works for the sharpshooters, but the 
enemy opened a piece of artillery at very close range on 
that point, and the splintering timbers killed and wounded 
more men that did balls, and I ordered the timbers to 

25 



be removed. Hand-grenades were then freely used by 
the enemy, which made sad havoc amongst my men, for, 
being in the crater of the exploded mine, the sides of 
which were covered by the men, scarcely a grenade was 
thrown without doing damage, and in most instances hor- 
ribly mangling those they happened to strike. The Forty- 
fifth Illinois, after holding the position and fighting des- 
perately until their guns were too hot for further use, 
were relieved by the Twentieth Illinois. During this time 
hand-grenades were freely used on both sides, Private 
William Lazarus, of Company I, First U. S. Infantry, 
being detailed to throw them, who, after throwing about 
twenty, was mortally wounded, after which a detail of 
three men from the same command were detailed for that 
duty. The Twentieth Illinois was relieved by the Thirty- 
first Illinois, and they in turn by the Fifty-sixth Illinois, 
of the Third Brigade, but their ammunition being bad they 
were unable to hold the position, and were relieved by 
the Twenty-third Indiana. The Seventeenth Iowa, of the 
Third Brigade, then relieving the Twenty-third In- 
diana, and the Thirty-first Illinois relieving them, 
held the position until daylight, when the Forty- 
fifth Illinois relieved them and held the position 
until lo a. m. of the 28th. The One Hundred and Twen- 
ty-fourth Illinois then relieved the Forty-fifth Illinois, and 
held the position until 5 p. m. of the same day, when I 
received orders to withdraw to the left-hand gap, where 
I maintained the position until the surrender on the 4th 
of July, when, by order of Major General Logan, my 
brigade, led by the Forty-fifth Illinois, was honored with 
the privilege of being the first to enter the garrison, and 
the flag of the Forty-fifth the first to float over the con- 
quered city." 
I am told that the right of the 45th to claim especial credit 
for its conduct during the siege has been questioned. We may 
claim much without injustice to others, since there is glory 
enough for all, and all performed every duty assigned. Better 
opportunity, not superior merit, is the most that any can truth- 
fully allege. It is well known that ours was the first to enter 
the city, but there is less certainty as to the particular officer by 

26 



whose orders that honor was conferred. Gen. Leggett, as above 
quoted, says that "by order of Gen Logan his brigade, led by 
the Forty-fifth," was the first. G^n. Badeau in his "MiHtary 
History of Gen. Grant" (Vol. i, p. 387), states the case thus: 

"Logan's division was one of those which had ap- 
proached nearest the rebel works, and now was the first 
to enter the town. It had been heavily engaged in both 
assaults, and was fairly entitled to this honor. The Forty- 
fifth Illinois Infantry marched at the head of the column, 
and placed its battle-torn flag on the court-house of Vicks- 
burg." 

The State history (Adjt. General's Report, Vol. 3, p. 362) 
says that the precedence of the 45th was "by order of Gen. 
Grant." 

Luckily the Official Records, as published by Congress, settle 
the point conclusively, and furnish incidentally the choicest testi- 
mony in all the books to the good name of any single command. 
It was General James B. McPherson, the beloved Commander 
of the 17th Army Corps, the Chevalier Bayard of our army, the 
peer and the honored friend of Grant and Sherman, whose watch- 
ful eye and considerate judgment accorded to this regiment its 
sacred patent of distinction. The following informal memoranda, 
written amidst the excitement and hurry of that memorable 
Fourth of July morning, witnesses and confirms it — a frail leaflet 
of history torn off in the very whirlwind of great events, and by 
some happy chance lodged in the Nation's archives. I transcribe 
it with all possible accuracy from page 476, Part 3 of Volume 24 : 

McPherson's, July 4, 1863. 
Colonel Rawlins: 

"If one regiment goes in advance to the court-house to take 
possession, I respectfully request that it be the Forty-fifth Illi- 
nois. This regiment has borne the brunt of the battle oftener 
than any other in my command, and has always behaved nobly. 

Mcpherson. 

[indorsement.] 
"It is left to you to designate such regiment as you may see 

27 



proper to go forward and take possession of the court-house. 
"By order of Major-General Grant: 

"JOHN A. RAWLINS, 
"Assistant Adjutant-General. 
"Before Vicksburg, July 4, 1863. 
"Major General Logan, Comdg. Third Division : 

"I suggest that the Forty-fifth Illinois take the advance in 
going into the city. 

"Very respectfully, 

"JAMES B. Mcpherson." 

CANTON AND MERIDIAN RAIDS. 

The so-called "raids" from Vicksburg toward Canton and 
Meridian, adventurous and exciting though they were, did not 
call for extended official notice of the part played by single com- 
mands. The same is true of the service rendered by the 45th 
in the Atlanta campaign, the March to the Sea, and the sweep 
through the Carolinas. Our brigade, the First of the Third 
Division, 17th Corps, made notable history at "Leggett's Hill" 
on the 2 1st and 22nd of July, 1864, but we were spared that sad 
ordeal. Otherwise this meeting would hardly have been pos- 
sible. Only trustworthy regiments were chosen for detached 
duty, such as ours at the Etowah Bridge, so something of honor 
accompanies our exemption from a terrible loss. 

A report made by our General Force during the Meridian 
expedition (Vol. 32, Part i, p. 227) stated the losses of the 45th 
at Chunky Station as three men wounded, one mortally. On 
page 229, in his full account of the raid, he reports that the "Forty- 
fifth Illinois, Major Duer commanding, was left guarding the 
bridge over the Oktibbeha, while the rest of the brigade was at 
Meridian." Also, that "At Canton, the 124th, 20th, and 45th 
Illinois, destroyed two miles of railway, bending every rail, and 
100 feet of trestle-work," of which one-half mile of track and 
74 feet of trestle are credited to the 45th. This glowing compli- 
ment of the dear General may well be added as signifying the 
general character of his men: 

28 



"The conduct of the brigade on the march was ad- 
mirable. The column was compact and without strag- 
glers, the train always closed up, bivouac was made and 
broken up promptly. The brigade was not as much as 
five minutes behindhand by the watch in obeying a single 
order on the march. Their excellence in drill was of 
service. At Clinton and Chunky's the slightest intima- 
tion of command was apprehended and executed with 
such facility that the brigade appeared to work itself." 
An interesting report of this march, found on pp. 233, 4 of 
the same volume, was made by Major Duer, which I transcribe 
in memory of our beloved commander. Duer, Force, Leggett, 
McPherson, and Sherman — these are my five war heroes, and 
John O. Duer is not least in my love : 

"Headquarters Forty-fifth Illinois Infantry, 

"Big Black, Miss., March 8, 1864. 

"CAPTAIN : In accordance with General Orders, 
No. 32, division headquarters, I have the honor to make 
the following report of the part taken by the Forty-fifth 
Illinois Infantry in the late expedition to Meridian, 
Miss.: 

"The regiment took a common part with the brigade 
until our arrival at Chunky River Station, on the South- 
ern Railroad. On the morning of the 14th of February, 
having the advance of the brigade, was ordered to throw 
one company forward as skirmishers. F Company, 
Lieut. Vincent commanding, was quickly deployed to 
the right of the road, and was soon under fire, and under 
I directions of the general commanding the brigade, the 

regiment was formed in rear of my skirmishers and ad- 
vanced immediately upon the enemy. The company of 
skirmishers in my front drove the enemy across the 
creek, having 3 wounded — Privates Peter Griffin and 
Isaac Way, severely, and Private Charles Collas, sup- 
posed to be mortally. The regiment advanced within a 
few rods of the Chunky River. I then complied with 
directions of the general commanding the brigade — sent 
B and G Companies to protect companies of the One 
Hundred and Twenty-fourth (who were destroying the 

29 



bridge) from the enemy's sharpshooters. The enemy 
soon fell back, leaving- six wagons. These wagons were 
burned by Captain Van Dervort, commanding B com- 
pany. At 10:30 a. m. was ordered to resume our line 
of march for the Meridian road. 

"On the night of the 15th of February, received or- 
ders to remain at Oktibbeha bridge and guard it until 
General Chambers' brigade came up. 

"General Chambers passed along on the afternoon of 
the 1 8th of February, when I marched to Meridian and 
reported to Captain Douglass, assistant adjutant-gen- 
eral, Third Division, who informed me where the bri- 
gade was encamped. 

"On the 29th instant Lieutenant Clifford, of Com- 
pany C, and 10 men (mounted), in compliance with 
orders, reported to brigade headquarters and joined the 
brigade foraging party for the purpose of foraging for 
the several regiments of the brigade. On the afternoon 
of the same day they were attacked by a superior force 
of the enemy's cavalry, and after a sharp skirmish were 
compelled to fall back, leaving their horses and plunder 
in the hands of the enemy. Four of Lieutenant Cifford's 
party were captured, namely: Privates William Wil- 
liams, of Company A; John Rolfe, of Company F; 
Henry C. Errett, of Company H ; and Alfred B. Ramsey, 
of Company K, the latter being wounded in the hand 
when captured. The rest took shelter in a wood near 
by and remained until daylight next morning, when 
they passed to the left of the enemy's pickets and came 
to camp. During the expedition no men were lost by 
straggling. 

"Your obedient servant, 

"JOHN O. DUER, 
"Major, Commanding Forty-fifth Illinois Infantry. 
"Capt. J. B. WALKER, 

"Assistant Adjutant-General." 



SC 2.5 *■ 



HOME, VIA ATLANTA AND SAVANNAH. 
There is nothing of importance applicable especially to the 
45th in the voluminous annals of the marches through Georgia 
and the Carolinas. The regiment simply kept pace with the 
army, doing whatever was required of it by the way, and had 
no fighting of consequence save the skirmish at Pocotaligo. 
The march to the sea is celebrated in story and in song, but 
the progress from Savannah to Goldsboro, though lending it- 
self less easily to poetical or romantic treatment, was vastly 
more arduous, and at least equally decisive. It may be that 
the brown men of Japan have set a new mark in military 
efficiency, but I shall die in the unshaken belief that the army 
that marched northward from Savannah under Sherman was 
the best that ever assembled on earth. 



31 



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